God of Kindness
Do you recognize God’s kindness in your life?
Verse of the Day
When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
Titus 3:4-5
Today’s Devotional
During my personal devotional time, as I have been reading the Old Testament, the same thought comes up quite often. It’s not every day, but it’s close. That thought is, “Well, that was kind of God to do that.” And most of the time it is little details that catch my attention. For instance, in Genesis 7 it says that God closed the door of the ark after Noah and his family and the animals had all boarded. God closing the door for them is kind.
Today I was reading in one of the less exciting sections of Scripture, Leviticus. But in this passage, God was instructing Moses the process of required sacrifices needed for different sins. Several times the phrase “making you right with the Lord” was used. How kind of God to show the people how to reconcile with Him. Over and over.
When I am struggling, one of the things I ask God is to show me His kindness. More specifically, I ask Him to help me be aware of His kindness, because it is all around me. But sometimes I need help to notice it.
The kindness of God is not simply to create warm, fuzzy feelings. When I notice God’s kindness, it softens my heart. It leads me to gratitude. It changes my heart posture. Which is exactly the point. Look at Romans 2:4: “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
I have several examples in my own life of God’s kindness leading me to repentance. Biblically, the story that comes to my mind is the Good Samaritan. It would be hard to continue thinking only terrible things about Samaritans if you had been on the receiving end of that Samaritan’s kindness. That’s the type of kindness that leads to repentance.
In today’s verses from Titus, we see that God’s kindness is bigger than we can express. “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7)
God’s kindness is bigger than a sunrise, or a rainbow, or the perfect cup of coffee. God’s kindness led to an offer of salvation. And full forgiveness. And new life. And the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And confidence in our relationship with Him. The picture of God’s kindness toward us is Jesus Christ.
As we live this new life in Jesus, we become carriers of God’s kindness. “Throughout the coming ages we will be the visible display of the infinite riches of his grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:7 TPT)
My personal experience has been that sometimes I can only recognize God’s kindness in retrospect. Because in the midst of the situation it was difficult. And I wanted to be rescued or released from the pain. But sometimes the pain or the struggle is the only way to get us to where He wants us to be. Just like the butterfly trying to break free of the cocoon. It is a struggle. But without the struggle, there will be no flight. This is the power of spending time with God so that He has the opportunities to teach me. To change my perspective on the things I have gone through. Psalm 141:5 is an example of this. “Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it.” Sometimes the corrections and redirections that are painful in the moment are exactly what we need. Therefore, those difficult things are examples of God’s kindness.
For today, let’s ask God to open our eyes to see His kindness. If you are in the middle of a difficult season, ask God to give you a glimpse of what He is doing. God’s biggest act of kindness is Jesus. Maybe today we can rest in the finished work of the cross as evidence of God’s desire to be kind to each one of us.
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
What are examples of God’s kindness that you remember?
How has God’s kindness led you to repentance?
In what area do you need God to show you a glimpse of what He is doing?
Write a prayer asking God to open your eyes to His kindness that is all around you.
Keep a running list today of all the evidence of God’s kindness throughout your day.